Brees wants to bury bounty probe, help New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees says the Saints are ready to put the bounty scandal "to bed," be gracious Super Bowl hosts and look forward to next season.

Brees has been an ambassador for New Orleans since he arrived in 2006, and is maintaining that role with a busy schedule this week as the Big Easy prepares to host its first Super Bowl in more than a decade on Sunday.

The Saints entered 2012 believing they were contenders to be the first team to play a Super Bowl on its home field. Then came the NFL's bounty probe of the Saints and sanctions including the season-long suspension of coach Sean Payton, followed by a losing season.

Brees says he's disappointed, but ready to help showcase his adopted home town's resurgence now.